地下墓穴（18）（在线收听）

Some two months afterwards the following paragraph made the round of the European Press:

“One of the most interesting discoveries of recent years is that of the new catacomb in Rome, which lies some distance to the east of the well-known vaults of St. Calixtus. The finding of this important burial-place, which is exceeding rich in most interesting early Christian remains, is due to the energy and sagacity of Dr. Julius Burger, the young German specialist, who is rapidly taking the first place as an authority upon ancient Rome. Although the first to publish his discovery, it appears that a less fortunate adventurer had anticipated Dr. Burger. Some months ago Mr. Kennedy, the well-known English student, disappeared suddenly from his rooms in the Corso, and it was conjectured that his association with a recent scandal had driven him to leave Rome. It appears now that he had in reality fallen a victim to that fervid love of archaeology which had raised him to a distinguished place among living scholars. His body was discovered in the heart of the new catacomb, and it was evident from the condition of his feet and boots that he had tramped for days through the tortuous corridors which make these subterranean tombs so dangerous to explorers. The deceased gentleman had, with inexplicable rashness, made his way into this labyrinth without, as far as can be discovered, taking with him either candles or matches, so that his sad fate was the natural result of his own temerity. What makes the matter more painful is that Dr. Julius Burger was an intimate friend of the deceased. His joy at the extraordinary find which he has been so fortunate as to make has been greatly marred by the terrible fate of his comrade and fellow-worker.”

两个月之后，一条消息刊登在欧洲各大报纸上：

“在罗马发现新的墓穴，这是近几年最重大的发现

之一，该墓穴位于著名的卡里斯图斯墓穴东边。这一重要墓地中保存着极为丰富极为珍贵的早期基督教遗物。这一发现归功于精力过人、智慧非凡的年轻的德玉学者尤利乌斯伯格，他已成为最权威的古罗马专家。虽然首先公布发现成果的是伯格博士，但是在他之前还有另一个不那么幸运的探险家。数月前，知名的英国学者肯尼迪先生突然失踪，当时有人推测，他因为一桩丑闻离开罗马。现在看来，实际上他是为了自己所钟爱的考古学而献身的一一他在该领域已占据显赫的地位。他的尸体在新墓穴的中心位置被发现，从他的脚和鞋的情况看，他在曲折复杂的通道中曾连续行走多日，而这些通道对于墓穴探险者来说是十分危险的。这位已故学者出于尚未知晓的原因，轻率地进入地下迷宫，身上没带蜡烛，也没带火柴，由此可见，他的悲惨命运是他自己的卤莽直接造成的。更富悲剧色彩的是，尤利乌斯伯格博士还是死者的好友。他在十分幸运地做出的这一非凡发现中感到的喜悦，由于他的同事和伙伴的可怕命运，大打折扣。”